Radiology: Equipment, Films and Processing
X-ray Equipment:
• Whilst various sets are available from different manufacturers, they share
certain similarities.
• Can be either fixed or mobile.
• Components:
• Tube head
• Positioning arms
• Control panel
Ideal Requirements:
• Safe and accurate
• Capable of generating X-rays in the desired energy range and adequate heat
removal.
• Small
• Easy to manoeuvre and position.
• Stable, balanced and steady.
• Easily folded and stored.
• Simple to operate.
• Robust.
,Tube Head:
• Glass X-ray tube
• Transformer: to step-up mains voltage of 240V to the 50,000 – 90,000 V
needed.
• Surrounding lead shield: minimize X-ray leakage.
• Surrounding oil: heat removal.
• Aluminium filtration: removes lower energy X-rays.
• Collimator: metal disc or cylinder to shape and limit the beam.
• Spacer cone: indicates direction of beam and allows ideal focal spot to skin
distance. Must be 200mm for >60kV and 100mm for <60kV
, Control Panel:
• Mains on/off switch and warning light
• The timer
• Exposure time selector: either numerical or anatomical.
• Warning light and audible signal when X-rays being generated.
X-ray Equipment:
• Whilst various sets are available from different manufacturers, they share
certain similarities.
• Can be either fixed or mobile.
• Components:
• Tube head
• Positioning arms
• Control panel
Ideal Requirements:
• Safe and accurate
• Capable of generating X-rays in the desired energy range and adequate heat
removal.
• Small
• Easy to manoeuvre and position.
• Stable, balanced and steady.
• Easily folded and stored.
• Simple to operate.
• Robust.
,Tube Head:
• Glass X-ray tube
• Transformer: to step-up mains voltage of 240V to the 50,000 – 90,000 V
needed.
• Surrounding lead shield: minimize X-ray leakage.
• Surrounding oil: heat removal.
• Aluminium filtration: removes lower energy X-rays.
• Collimator: metal disc or cylinder to shape and limit the beam.
• Spacer cone: indicates direction of beam and allows ideal focal spot to skin
distance. Must be 200mm for >60kV and 100mm for <60kV
, Control Panel:
• Mains on/off switch and warning light
• The timer
• Exposure time selector: either numerical or anatomical.
• Warning light and audible signal when X-rays being generated.
